ATHENS ROCKS!
Cancellation does not phase the Hibee army
Stuart Crowther in Athens - 3.30am, after a night with the Hibees in
Greece!ATHENS ROCKED LAST
NIGHT, as Hibernian's 1,500 fans took the ancient Greek Capital by storm
and sang the night away. The fact that their journey was in football
terms a complete waste was not to be allowed to upset the superb Hibs fans, as
they stole the hearts of their Grecian hosts and wrote yet another chapter in
the magnificent Hibernian story without a football being kicked!
Make no mistake, this was another chapter in
the Hibernian story, another demonstration for these magnificent fans that
when the world might have gone completely mad, they at least were out to make
the best of a bad lot and demonstrate that Scots know how to party no matter
then circumstances! Before making the journey to this magnificent corner
of Europe, Hibs.net appealed to fans to remember the very best
traditions of the football club, traditions that started with the first
European competition, and were enhanced by the mood of pure joy brought by
Hibernian fans to Belgium on our last visits into Europe in 1989 and 1992.
Given the circumstances of this journey it would have been understood if the
Hibee support were less than gracious; in the event they were simply superb.
There remains a feeling of betrayal, lets be
quite clear on this. Hibernian fans, in particular that band who made
the journey on the official charter 24 hours ago, feel badly let down by the
football authorities at home and in Europe. One fan summed up the
feelings of many when he told us last night: "UEFA were correct to call off
the games this week, we have faced the greatest tragedy the world has ever
known in these last few days. But why could they not get even a straight
forward expression of support for the tens of thousands killed in the United
States correct? Why were we allowed to fly from Edinburgh?
All such flights should have been cancelled, in the event we were left to
decide for ourselves, should we stay or should we go. We are now here in
Athens, but our team is not, our purpose for being here has been taken from
us. We will seek some sort of recompense later, for now we will do what
Hibs fans do, we will party with our Greek friends."
The news form home has now reached Hibs
fans, who on the streets of this magnificent city have now so greatly enhanced
the reputation of our club. It is now clear that Hibernian F.C. were in
a difficult if not impossible position, the uncertainty making it difficult
for club staff to take any sort of decision on the flights leaving Edinburgh
for Greece. It is easy to apportion blame in normal times, but in these
difficult days the Hibees have taken an understanding viewpoint for the most
part, and largely accepting their lot. All the more reason then for
UEFA, who must accept that their decision has caused some considerable
financial hardship to befall football fans around Europe, to look upon the
situation with a common-sense and compassionate attitude.
There will be no football today in Athens,
and the Hibee army will awake with hangovers as they board their transport to
the sights of Athens, a steely determination to take something from this trip
the recurring theme around this city last night. Many of these fans will
not be able to return to this city in seven days time, when UEFA have
decreed that the game must take place, but both the European governing body
and Hibernian must do all they can to ensure that the loyalty of this support
is rewarded in a tangible manner. Hibs have today pledged to seek
every avenue to ensure some sort of compensation for the Hibernian support,
and that is to the credit of the club, who themselves it is understood stand
to lose a six-figure sum as a direct result of the unprecedented cancellation.
In the meantime central Athens will have
cause to remember those Hibernian fans who invaded their city last night.
The bars around the centre of the city rocked, the Hibees rocked, and another
proud chapter was written into the history of the club.
Hibs.net apologises for the lack of images from Athens - pictures have been taken, and will be published on our return to Scotland!
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